Metro

Bayelsa: Again, Host Communities Shut Down NCDMB Building, Reject Training Of 100 Youths

Published

5 years ago

September 29, 2021

Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday, again, besieged and shut down activities at the headquarters building of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The angry protesters at the early hours of Wednesday stormed and barricaded the main entrance to the content tower, preventing visitors and workers from gaining entrance into the building.

The aggrieved youths said they rejected the offer of training just one hundred youths from the earlier agreed and approved 1000 youths from over 850 communities in the eight local government areas of the state.

Recall on Monday the protesters besieged and shut down activities at the headquarters building of the NCDMB, over the expiration of agreement and non-commencement of trainings for youths of the Oil and Gas communities.

The protesting youths who chanted solidarity songs to press home their demands, vowed never to accept anything less than 1000 youths for the first phrase of the training.

Speaking to DAILY POST, state chapter Chairman, Host Community of Nigeria producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), HRH Boma Kerekebina, said they were embarking on this peaceful protest based on their earlier agreement signed and approved by all stakeholders.

He stated that they will only accept the number of persons approved by the Bureau for Public Prosecution in a document which is 1000 youths in the first phrase in Bayelsa, adding that any other manipulation by the board will be totally rejected.

The Chairman, who was represented by the Sagbama Local Government coordinator, Mr. Safa Perekebina, disclosed that even after the board took away hundred slots from their approved 1000 and promised to train 900, they have resorted to playing tricks with the agreement.

He said, “Till now no date or venue have been communicated to the youths for the training after all documentation but rather officials of the NCDMB keep making flimsy excuses.”

According to the Executive Secretary HOSTCOM, Mr. Ofoni Ebimobowei, after several meetings, the board resorted to delay tactics.

“They told us that they can only train 100 youths because they have only N105 million naira, which we told them is unacceptable. The budget has been done and approved since 2019, and they delayed till now and they are telling us another lies, we will not accept it,” he said.

In his brief, Chief Dogibara Allison, said all they want is to make peace and the only way to go is abide by the earlier agreement, noting that the small way for the NCDMB to give back to the society is to train youths from the host communities in Bayelsa State.

When reached on the board’s reaction, the media officer to NCDMB, Mr. Obinna Ezeobi, said the board is not an agency responsible for training of youths in the state, but are for the oil and gas industry.

He added that the board will respond officially to any other claims.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.